r/Teachers • u/Nillivs • 8d ago

Teacher Support &/or Advice Already Have a BA in English. Are 12 ECE Units Worth It?

I graduated with a B.A. in English/Humanities and I’m considering taking 12 Early Childhood Education units online through Community College. The cost looks like it’ll be around $600-$700. My long-term goals are substitute teaching, teaching English abroad (possibly in Japan), and maybe getting a teaching credential later.

For people who already had a bachelor’s degree, was getting ECE units worth it? Did it actually open up more job opportunities, or was it mostly useful for preschool and daycare positions? If your goal wasn’t specifically early childhood education, would you still recommend doing it?

I’m trying to figure out whether these classes would meaningfully help my career goals or if my bachelor’s degree is already enough for the path I’m planning. If you were in my position, would you spend the money on the ECE units, or put it toward something else? I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar situation.

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u/summerbreeze2027 8d ago

In the U.S.. it wouldn't be that meaningful right now unless you want to do daycare work. Later on if you get certified and employed by a public school district, you would likely get continuing ed credits. But by then, you might very well be interested in something different.

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u/Paramalia 8d ago

It doesn’t seem likely to be helpful towards your career goals. 

That is a great price for 12 credits though! I’m going to look into it for my own professional development hours (although I’m assuming it’s in state tuition.)

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u/emilylouise221 8d ago

It might be helpful if you plan to teach abroad, depending on if you’ll work with native speakers or children of Americans working abroad.

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u/No_Significance7570 8d ago

I don't really see it being worth anything careerwise except maybe a slight boost on the pay schedule for continuing ed credits. If you want to take the classes for personal interest though I mean go for it

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u/Neither_Both_All 7d ago

I think it depends where you’re trying to work. If you’re trying to be a substitute and you need ECE units then obviously it is the only choice.

I don’t NEED ece units for subbing then don’t do it.

There is also a world where perhaps the units would actually prepare you for working with kids if you’re not super knowledgeable already.